Preview | AFC Wimbledon (h) - Checkatrade Trophy

Rossi Eames is likely to make some changes to the side that lost on Saturday to Stevenage. New signing Andre Blackman is available for selection. John Akinde (knee) and Richard Brindley (ankle) are still recovering from injuries sustained in pre-season. Curtis Weston (knee) is also out, as is Michael Nelson (ankle). Elliott Johnson is out with a long term knee injury.

Last Time We Met:

We last met in February 2016, with AFC Wimbledon coming out victorious with a 2-1 win at The Hive London.

The visitors took the lead shortly after half time. Lyle Taylor took advantage of a lapse in concentration amongst the Barnet back line and looped the ball over the stranded Jamie Stephens. They doubled their advantage late on when Ade Azeez tapped home from inside the six yard box.

Barnet pulled a goal back with three minutes left to play through substitute Mathew Stevens

Manager:

Neal Ardley has been with Wimbledon since 2012, but had previously played for the Dons from 1991 ‘til 2002.

A right sided midfielder or full back in his playing days, he also made appearances for Watford, Cardiff and finally Millwall before retiring in 2007.

He became Academy Manager in 2007 at Cardiff before being appointed AFC Wimbledon manager in 2012. He would help guide the club to League 2 play-off success at Wembley in in 2016, beating Plymouth 2-0.

Dangerman:

If selected, Lyle Taylor could be a real handful for the Barnet back line. Although he is yet to get off the mark this season, his 14 goals and 6 assists in all competitions last campaign shows just what he can do.

A Montserrat international, Taylor was signed by Millwall in 2007. Loans to non-league sides followed before he joined Concord Rangers. Whilst with the Essex side, he was offered a trial at Bournemouth and subsequently signed a two year deal. He joined Wimbledon in 2015 after representing clubs across both England and Scotland.

Connections:

Wimbledon captain Barry Fuller had two spells with the Bees. The first was a short loan in 2006 and the second coming in 2012 when he featured 41 times in our final season at Underhill.

25 year old midfielder George Francomb played 15 times for Barnet on loan from Norwich in 2010/11. He scored three times during his spell which lasted a little over three months.

Last Time Out:

AFC Wimbledon picked up their first win of the season at the weekend, 2-0 against Doncaster Rovers.

Two great strikes around the hour mark from Kwesi Appiah and Andy Barcham secured the victory in a match that boss Neal Ardley described as “a game of two halves”.

Report | Barnet FC 3-4 AFC Wimbledon - Checkatrade Trophy

Barnet succumbed to defeat in a truly open game football in the first Checkatrade Trophy group stage match at The Hive London, AFC Wimbledon winning 4-3.

The Dons took the lead after just 5 minutes, Anthony Hartigan tried his luck from distance and Craig Ross could only parry the ball into the net, a moment the Barnet ‘keeper will wish to forget.

Barnet responded brightly and 6 minutes later the game was all tied up. Coulthirst was fouled on the edge of the box, giving Ruben Bover the chance to line up a free kick. The Spaniard stepped up and powerfully curled it over the wall and into the top left corner for his first ever Barnet goal.

Wimbledon restored their one goal advantage just a couple of minutes later. Forrester had an effort well saved by Ross but it fell straight into the path of Egli Kaja who had a simple finish.

The goal-fest continued in the 25th minute when Shaq Coulthirst got in on the act. Ruben Bover played a through ball, Coulthirst cut inside before placing a shot from the edge of the box low into the bottom left corner of the goal.

Nightingale’s header from a corner on the half hour mark was saved comfortably by Craig Ross.

Coulthirst sent through Ruben Bover in the 35th minute but he couldn’t double his tally, McDonnell palming his shot wide.

Craig Ross was called into action again shortly after, this time with an excellent save to deny Cody McDonald at his near post.

Before the half time whistle, Ruben Bover’s corner was narrowly headed wide by skipper for the night Charlie Clough.

Wimbledon took the lead two minutes after the break. A cross from the left found Cody McDonald unmarked to head home.

They went two clear in the 56th minute. Kennedy delivered a dangerous cross and David Tutonda sliced a clearance past the helpless Craig Ross.

Coulthirst was soon prevented the opportunity to get his second of the match after a spectacular save from McDonnell after a one-on-one with the Barnet number 11.

With 20 minutes to go, Craig Ross pulled of an excellent save from George Francomb’s free kick which was destined for the top corner.

In the 88th minute, Barnet reduced the deficit with the goal of the night. Debutant Andre Blackman was given too much time and space and unleashed a stunning strike from 25 yards with the outside of his left boot.

Simeon Akinola almost forced the game to penalties in stoppage time, his looping effort going inches wide of the far post.